Electric circuit controller



May 25, 1937. R. w. R058 ET AL 2,081,184

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER File'd Jan. 23, 19-35 M m w a ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE z,o a1,1s4

ntiic'mrc omourr CONTROLLER Raymond W. Ross, Philadelphia, Pa., andSigurd H. Seb'erhagen, deceased, late of Philadelphia, Pa., by SophieSeberhagen, executrix, Phila-.

delphia, Pa., assignors to Leeds and Northrup Company, Philadelphia,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 23, 1935, SerialNo. 3,194

IOCIalms. (Cl. 2001-11) This invention relates to electric circuitcontrollers and specifically to such controllers known in the art asdistributors or selectors. While this invention is of generalapplication, it is particularly suitable for use in connection withmultiplepoint recording mechanisms such, for example, as those of thetype disclosed and claimed in the copending application, Serial No.75,208, filed April 18, 1936.,

The circuit controller of this invention comprises a pair of relativelymovable contact structures. One of the contact structures includes apair of spaced contact elements insulated from each other, while theother includes a substantially U-shaped contact element so disposed thatrelative movement of the contact structures is effective to slide theU-shaped contact element into and out of bridging engagement with thespaced contact elements of the other contact structure. TheU-shapedcontact element is resiliently supported in its respectivecontact structure with a limited freedom of motion, in order to equalizethe contact pressures at the contact surfaces of the circuit controller.

More specifically, in accordance with this invention, the stationarycontact structure of the circuit controller comprises a disk ofinsulation material from which are supported a pair of concentricarcuate contact strips. The second contact structure is pivotallymounted with respect to the first contact structure about the-axis ofthe contact strips and the U-shaped bridging member is supported withina, slot in its respective contact structure extending radiallyof themovable contact structure. The U-shaped contact element is supportedwithin the slot by r a loose pivotal mounting on the head of a:spherical spring-pressed plunger carried' in a recess viding amoderately close fit. i

. For a better understanding of this invention, together with other andfurther features thereof, reference is had to the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will bepointed out in the appended'claims.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a circuitcontroller embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the circuit conerably be molded directlyin the disk l3.

trailer of Fig. 1 with the enclosing casing removed; and

Fig. 3 is an end view of the movable contact element and its support. gReferring now more particularlyto the drawing, there is illustrated acircuit controller embodying this invention comprising a supportingframe In which may comprise a cup-shaped member having ,a centralopening Illa'in which is supported, as by a forced fit, a boss or hubll.

Mounted within the hub II is a sleeve I! de-.

pending from the boss II and carrying on its lower end a disc or platel3 of insulating material sueh as bakelite or other synthetic resin. Theplate l3 may be molded directly to the sleeve I! in a well-known manneror, as illustrated, it may be provided with an elongated hub or sleevel3a locked to the sleeve l2 by means 'of pin II. The upper end of thehub l3a of the disc I3 is brought into engagement with the lower shoul-'der of the boss II by means of a lock nut l5 shown in Fig. 2 anarrangement of stationary contact elements which has been foundparticularly suitable for use in connection with an automatic indicatingand recording apparatus which forms the subject matter of theaforementioned cope'nding application.

Specifically, the stationary contact elements comprise parallel contactstrips such as a pair of concentric annular contact rings l6 and I], thecontact ring I! being divided into a plurality of segments insulatedfrom each other to provide aplurality of individual contact elements.There is also provided an additional pair of concentric annular contactrings l8 and IS, the ring I! comprising aseries of annularly arrangedsegments as in the case ofthe ring I1. The ring of contact segments l9may cooperate both with the ring is and with an additional ring 20disposed within the ring I 9. The terminals for connection of.theseveral stationary contact elements to external circuits may be formeddirectly in the disk l3 during the molding of the contact elementstherein or, in certain instances, it may be desirable, in orderto reducethe number of external connections, to form certain connections .tingclosely on the hub l3a to maintain it in proper relationship. The frameI0 has an opening-in which is mounted a bushing 22 of insulationmaterial to prevent a chafing of the external conductors to thestationary contact segments, on

the edges of the metal supporting frame I0.

In the sleeve I2 is journaled a shaft 23 carrying at its lower end themovable contact structure. This structure comprises an elongated bar 24of insulation material, preferably of synthetic resin,-

in which is molded a sleeve or hub 25, the member 24 and sleeve 25 beingsecured to the shaft 23 by a set screw 26 threaded in the sleeve 25. Inorder to aid in properly aligning the movable contact assembly afterremoval for repair, replacement or cleaning, the upper end of the sleeve25 is slotted as at 25a, while the shaft 23 is drilled to receive a pin21. The complementary slot 24a in the member 24 extends only on one sideof the shaft 23, thus precludingmou'nting of the rotating con-' tactassembly on the shaft 23 displaced 180 from its proper position. Theinsulation member 24 is provided with a longitudinal slot 24?) in thebottom of which are drilled or otherwise formed a number of holes 240 ineach of which is mounted a spherical headed plunger 28 biased upwardlyby a surrounding helical spring 29. The upward movement of the plunger28 is limited'by a split ring 28a fitted on the lower end of the plunger28.

Supported from the head of each of the plungem 28 is a substantiallyU-shaped contact bridging element 30 secured thereto by a pin 3|. By theterm U-shaped is meant any analogous shaped functionally similar; thatis, one having two arms extending generally in the same direction from acommon base member. The hole in the base of the U-shaped contact elementis substantially larger than the shank of the pin 3| to provide alimited freedom of movement which, due to the spherical head of theplunger 28, constitutes substantially a universal mounting. However,'asshown more clearly in Fig. 3, the width of the bridging element 30 issubstantially the same as the width of the slot 241) in which it ismounted, so that the walls thereof, forming abutments, prevent anysubstantial movement of the element 30 in the direction of motion of themovable contact assembly, which as viewed in Fig. 3 may be to the leftor the right, and in Figs. 1 and 2 either clockwise orcounter-clockwise.

It will be apparent that the shaft 23 connected to the movable contactassembly may be operated in any desired manner either'manually orautomatically. By way of example only, there is illustrated a bevel gear.32 secured to the upper end of the shaft 23 as by a set screw 32a, itbeing understood that the gear 32 may be driven by any suitablemechanism. There is provided also' a lower cover member or cup-shapedcontainer" 33 having a bayonet slot engaging a pin 34 supported in theframe [0. In certain instances, it may be'desirable to fill the covermember 33 with oil or other suitable insulating fluid.

It is believed that the operation of the above described circuitcontroller will be clear from the foregoing description. In brief, therotation of the shaft 23 causes the movable contact'assembly 24 torotate about its axis, the several contact bridging elements 30 slidingon'their respective contactrings and segments, successively completingthe circuits between the contact rings and the several contact segments.The rigid bridging contact elements 30 may be termed semi-floating; thatis, full floating except in the direction of normal movement, so thatthey readily take up any irregularities or misalignments in thestationary contact elements, securing satisfactory contact engagementsunder all operating conditions. Also, due to the universal mounting ofthe contact elements 30 on the spherical heads of the plungers 28,equalized contact pressures at the several contact surfaces are insured.At the same time the circuit controller is extremely simple tomanufacture from a practical standpoint.

' While there has been described what at present is considered thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the invention, and therefore the appended claimscover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed:

1. In an electric circuit controller having relatively movable contactstructures, one of which has a pair of spaced contact elements insulatedfrom each other, and the other of which has a recess opposed to saidpairof contact elements, the combinatio n of a spherical headed plungerreciprocably mounted in said recess and having a pin secured in itshead, a substantially U-shaped contact element loosely pivoted on saidpin, 'said contact element being so disposed that relative 'movement ofsaid contact structures effects a ,slot extending transversely to thedirection of relative movement, the combination of a spherical headedplunger carried by said second contact structure with its headprojecting into said slot,

a substantially U-shaped contact element supported from the head of saidplunger with a limited freedom of motion and bearing thereon, saidcontact element being so disposed that relative movement .of saidcontact structures effects a bridging engagement and disengagement ofsaid pair of contact elements by said U-shaped contact element, andresilient means for biasing said contact elements into engagement.

3. In an electric circuit controller comprising a stationary contactstructure including a pair of concentric arcuate contact stripsinsulated from each other, a second contact structure pivotally mountedwith respect to said stationary contact structure about the axis of saidcontact strips, a substantially U-shaped contact element, thecombination of means for universally and resiliently supporting saidcontact element from said pivotally mounted contact structure forbridging engagement and disengagement of said contact strips upon'pivotal movement thereof, said supporting means having a slot whose wallportions substantially restrict universal movement of said contactelement tangential to its 7 pivotal movement.

4. In a circuit controller having a pair of spaced contact members,supporting structure therefor, the combination of contact structurecomprising a second supporting structurerelatively movable in a planesubstantially parallel 5. In a circuit controller having a pair ofconcentric annular contact rings at least one of which is divided into aplurality of segments, supporting structure for said rings, thecombination of contact structure comprising a second supportingstructure, said structures being relatively pivoted abcutthe axis ofsaid rings, abutments carried by said second supporting structure andextending substantially radially of said pivotal axis,

a U-shaped contact element so disposed between said abutments that itslegs engage said contact rings respectively, and means for pivotallyconnecting said contact element to said second supporting structure forsubstantial movement between said abutments about an axis substantiallynormal to said first-named pivotal axis and to the radius therefrom tosaid second named pivotal axis, said abutments restricting movement ofsaid element about an axis parallel to said radius.

6. In a circuit controller having a pair of spaced contact members,supporting structure therefor, the combination of contact structurecomprising a second supporting member relatively movable in a planesubstantially parallel to the faces of said contact members, a slidableplunger carried by said second supporting member for movement normal tosaid plane, resilient means for biasing said plunger toward said contactmembers, a U-shaped contact element carried by said plunger for pivotalmovement about an axis parallel to the relative movement of saidstructures, the legs of said element respectively engaging said spacedcontact members, and structure for restricting movement of said elementabout an axis normal to the relative movement of said structures.

7. A circuit controller unit comprising a supporting sleeve, annularcontact rings concentric with and carried by said sleeve, a. rotatableshaft extending through said sleeve, a rigid radial arm supported bysaid shaft and provided with a radial slot the open end of which ispresented to said contact rings, a U-shaped contact element whose legsclosely fit between the radial sides of said slot, an elongated plungercarried by said arm and having a spherical end terminating in said slotto provide a universal mounting for said contact element, a pin looselysupporting said contact element against said spherical end, andresilient means acting upon said plunger to press its spherical endagainst said contact element through and supported by said structure, atleast three contact rings concentric to said shaft carried bysaidsupporting structure, a rigid, radial arm rotatable with said shafthaving a radial slot presented to said contact rings, at least two U-shaped contact elements radially disposed in said slot and closelyfittingthe substantially radial sides thereof, the legs of each of saidelements engaging different contact rings, plungers carried by said armfor independent rectilinear movement normal to the plane of said contactrings and terminating in said groove to provide base member, a pinloosely supporting said base member centrally of said spherical end ofsaid plunger, and means associated with the opposite end of said plungerfor limiting the outward movement oi'ssai'd plunger to retain saidspring under compression.

10. A unitary contact assembly comprising a supporting member havinganopening, an elongated plunger disposed within said opening and havinga rounded end extending outwardly from one side of'said member, a springwithin said opening for biasingfsaid plunger for movement toward saidone side of said member, and a U- shaped contact element having legsextending outwardly from said plunger, the portion interconnecting saidlegs having an opening therethrough, and a pin extending through saidopen ing and loosely retainingsaid element against said rounded end ofsaid plunger for universal movement of said element, said supportingmember Last Will and Testament of

